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Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Film / Film News / News This Week's DVD Releases
Posted By Matt Brunson on Tue, Aug 18, 2009 at 6:36 PM
Following is a list of some major DVD releases debuting today. For a complete list, go to www.amazon.com.
News / Biz In case you missed it: McCrory on CNBC
Posted By Carlton Hargro on Tue, Aug 18, 2009 at 4:50 PM
In case you missed it, here's video of Mayor Pat on CNBC last week:
News Cocaine-tainted cash
Posted By Rhiannon Fionn-Bowman on Tue, Aug 18, 2009 at 4:41 PM
We're guessing there are boogers on your bills, too. (Yuck!)
For cocaine users, a rolled up $20 bill may be the most convenient tool for snorting the powder form of the drug. Or so it would seem from a new analysis of 234 banknotes from 18 U.S. cities that found cocaine on 90 percent of the bills tested.
Boomer with Attitude / News Focus, Mr. President, focus
Posted By John Grooms on Tue, Aug 18, 2009 at 3:49 PM
The health care reform debate, or rather, free-for-all, gets more confusing by the day, with signs of both retreat and progress on both sides. Yesterday, it looked like a public option was dead, as both Pres. Obama and HHS Secretary Sibelius implied that a public option wasn’t an essential part of health care reform. Today, they’re saying that’s not what they meant, they still support a public option, and what ever gave you any other idea?
Meanwhile, and this is a real surprise, a couple of Republicans seem to be coming around to the idea of a government role in offering health insurance. Yesterday, at a town hall meeting in Hamlet, N.C., our own Sen. Richard Burr was discussing how his main concern was that the government would eventually take over all the private insurance companies that have so generously filled his coffers (OK, he didn’t say that last part).
Anyhow, Burr stunned some in attendance by concluding, "It's OK if you want to have a government option but you've got to leave the private sector private." Well, Richard, we’ve got just the plan for you. It’s called any of the health care reform proposals currently being considered in Congress. Not one of them even remotely contains a federal takeover of private insurance companies, so, um, are you on our side now?
This morning, MSNBC host Joe Scarborough, who has been very critical of health care reform, at last admitted that a public option “is not a government takeover of health care.” Hey, it's not much, but we’ll take a little progress wherever we can find it.
One of the main problems in the health care fight, as I see it, is the Obama administration’s piss-poor job of defining what they want out of health care reform. And no, the vague parameters suggested months ago by the President won’t do. We’re way past that time. Members of Congress are actually saying things like, “The President needs to tell us what he wants in [such and such area of] health care reform." Then, of course, Sibelius says one thing, Biden says another, the press secretary brings up a third thing, and Obama acts as if it’s all clear as day. Well, no, dude, it’s anything but clear. How about taking a break from vacationing all over the place, getting your senior staff together, and cracking the friggin whip? I know being in the White House has been a blessing for your family life, but damn, man, get to work.
News Obama's ticking off the Left with confusing rhetoric
Posted By Rhiannon Fionn-Bowman on Tue, Aug 18, 2009 at 1:00 PM
Most people can agree that some type of reform is needed, but can anyone agree on what the president actually wants that reform to look like?
After his brilliant beginning, the president suddenly looks weak and unreliable. That will be the common interpretation around Washington of the president's abrupt retreat on substantive heathcare reform. Give Barack Obama a hard shove, they will say, rough him up a bit and he folds. A few weeks back, the president was touting a "public option" health plan as an essential element in reform. Now he says, take it or leave it. Whatever Congress does, he's okay with that.
The White House quickly added confusion to the outrage by insisting the president didn't really say anything new. He's just being flexible. He still wants what most Democrats want--a government plan that gives people a real escape from the profit-driven clutches of the insurance companies. But serious power players will not be fooled by the nimble spinners. Obama choked. He raised the white flag, even before the fight got underway in Congress.
Here's the president taking a question about the public option last week:
News / Biz Is executive pay out of control?
Posted By Rhiannon Fionn-Bowman on Tue, Aug 18, 2009 at 12:42 PM
The U.S. Supreme Court may answer that question for us when they hear a case involving mutual fund investors and the directors who are paid to watch over and direct those funds. The problem? Most mutual fund investors aren't aware of how much the directors are being paid -- and, it's often a lot.
On one side, expect free market arguments like this: Investors can fire their advisers at any time. Countered by this: Most investors pay more attention to the fund's past performance than the fees and can't be relied on to buy or sell at optimal times because they're not as tuned into the market as, say, an analyst, financial adviser or mutual fund director.
It can also be argued that the government has no right to protect consumers from themselves, that they should be paying more attention and it's their own fault if they make a mistake. In turn, in our busy world, it's well known people don't read contracts or policies and aren't always sure of what they're signing or buying into, that they're relying on guidance from trusted advisers who might be trying to take advantage of them.
Last summer, Richard A. Posner, a federal appeals court judge, issued a surprising and prescient dissent. Executive pay is out of control, he said, and the marketplace cannot be trusted to rein it in.Judge Posner is a conservative with libertarian leanings, and he is a leader of the law and economics movement associated with the University of Chicago. He often relies on economic analysis in his judicial decisions, and he believes that many questions are best sorted out by the marketplace.
But corporate America has insulated pay decisions from market discipline, Judge Posner wrote. “Executive compensation in large publicly traded firms often is excessive,” he added, “because of the feeble incentives of boards of directors to police compensation.”
The Supreme Court will hear the case this fall, as anger over huge bonuses paid to the executives of failing companies continues to grow. The case, Jones v. Harris Associates, may turn out to be the court’s first significant statement on the corporate culture that helped lead to the Great Recession.
Arts / Summer Guide Events / News Summer events, Aug. 18-Sept. 2
Posted By Anita Overcash on Tue, Aug 18, 2009 at 11:47 AM
Here are a gaggle of summer events happening in Charlotte and the surrounding area Aug. 18-Sept. 2 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
ARTS
Alive. Comedian Jared Stern. Aug. 21; Aug. 22. 2909 N. Davidson St.
Lake Norman Comedy Zone. Comedian Dave Tucker. Tue., Aug. 18, 7 p.m. $10. Comedian Dustin Diamond. Comedian and former TV star from his role as Screetch in Saved By The Bell. Thu., Aug. 20, 7:30 p.m. $20. Comedian John Heffron. The Lake Norman Comedy Zone presents a performance by comedian John Heffron, winner of NBC’s show, Last Comic Standing. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tue., Aug. 25. $20. Galway Hooker, 17044 Kenton Dr., Cornelius. 704-995-2658.
McGlohon Theatre. Comedian John Heffron. The Comedy Zone and Blumenthal Performing Arts Center present a performance by comedian John Heffron, winner of NBC’s show, Last Comic Standing.Show contains adult language and content and is not appropriate for ages 17 and under. Wed., Aug. 26, 7:30 p.m. $20. Comedian Ralphie May. The Comedy Zone and Blumenthal Performing Arts Center present a special performance by comedian Ralphie May, a popular contestant from NBC’s show Last Comic Standing. Show contains adult language and content. Thu., Aug. 27, 7:30 p.m. 345 N. College St. 704-372-1000.
SK Netcafe. Taboo Tuesday. Open mic with no language or content restrictions. All comics get five minutes on the stage. Tuesdays, 9 p.m. $2. 1425 Elizabeth Ave. 704-334-1523.
Charlotte Comedy Theater. Charlotte Comedy Theater. High energy, interactive improv comedy shows, private events, classes and team building workshops. Features Chicago comedy veterans and top local talent every weekend for eight years running. Shows: CCT Improv Games on Friday, 8 p.m.; Explicit Content. Stand-up comedy showcase featuring material too controversial to play on the Charlotte Comedy Coalition's regular shows. $10. Fridays, 10 p.m.; CCT's Culture Shock on Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sketch Comedy on Saturday, 10 p.m.; Open Mic featuring stand-up and off-the-wall comedy on Saturday, 11:30 p.m. All shows $10 (Jam $5). Rated R. For show details, visit www.charlottecomedy.com or call 803-458-6824. Saturdays; Fridays. $10. 1308 The Plaza.
The Nook. Robot Johnson. Sketch comedy at the Charlotte Comedy Theatre in The Nook. For more information, visit www.robotjohnson.com. 21 and up. Saturdays, 10 p.m. $10. 1308 The Plaza.
Joseph-Beth Booksellers. Robert Tompkins and Donald Beagle. Signing The Life and Art of Ralph Ray Jr. Thu., Aug. 20, 7 p.m. Dr. Larry Rogers. Signing Against the Grain. Sat., Aug. 22, 11 a.m. Toni Emehel. Signing Wilderness Women Live to Tell the Story. Sat., Aug. 29, 2 p.m. 4345 Barclay Downs Dr. 704-602-9820. www.josephbeth.com.
Altar Boyz. Award-winning Off-Broadway musical comedy based off the book by Kevin Del Aguila and music and lyrics by Gary Adler and Michael Patrick Walker. For tickets, call 704-372-1000 or visit www.queencitytheatre.com. Aug. 20-22, 8 p.m. $14-$28. Duke Energy Theatre, 345 North College St. 704-372-1000.
The Color Purple. This famed musical based on the classic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the Oscar-nominated film by Steven Spielberg, follows the inspiring story of a woman named Celie. Presented by Oprah Winfrey. Aug. 25-27, 7:30 p.m.; Aug. 28, 8 p.m.; Aug. 29, 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.; Aug. 30, 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. $30-$95. Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St.
Death Under Cover. Charlotte's Dinner Detective presents this interactive comedy musical dinner murder mystery set in London during WWII where the audience decides who-dun-it. Group, senior, AAA and military discounts available. Advanced reservations required. For information and tickets, call 704-840-5013 or visit www.charlotteshungrygumshoe.com. Fri., Aug. 28, 7 p.m. Tickets include a 3-course sit-down dinner and two-hour show, tax, tip and parking. $59. Grand Central Events, 1000 Central Ave. 704-373-1699.
Shear Madness. A who-dun-it murder mystery that puts the audience right in the middle of the action. Audience participation allows for a different outcome every night. Aug. 18, 7:30 p.m.; Aug. 19, 7:30 p.m.; Aug. 20, 7:30 p.m.; Aug. 21, 8 p.m.; Aug. 22, 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.; Aug. 23, 2 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.; Aug. 25, 7:30 p.m.; Aug. 26, 7:30 p.m.; Aug. 27, 7:30 p.m.; Aug. 28, 8 p.m.; Aug. 29, 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.; Aug. 30, 2 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.; Sept. 1, 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 2, 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 3, 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 4, 8 p.m.; Sept. 5, 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.; Sept. 6, 2 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. $29.50 and up. Stage Door Theater, North College St. at 5th St.
Center of the Earth Gallery. City/Country: Sharon Dowell, Dana Johns, Maxx Morgan and Christopher Stephens. An exhibition that features works that capture both landscapes and urban scenes. Continues through Aug. 22. 3204 N. Davidson St. 704-375-5756. www.centeroftheearth.com.
Christa Faut Gallery. 20 Year Anniversary Exhibition. Featuring special paintings, glass and sculptures by gallery artists. Continues through Aug. 31. 19818 N. Cove Road, Cornelius. 704-892-5312. www.christafautgallery.com.
Elder Art Gallery. Young - Fresh - New. This annual exhibition features paintings by emerging, mid-career and well-established artists from across the nation. Participants include Cynthia Anderson, Lance Hewison, Martin Hvattum, Gopika Sitwala, Martha Armstrong, Lara Martini, Susu Pianchupattana and Dirk Walker. Continues through Aug. 31. 1427 South Blvd. 704-370-6337. www.elderart.com.
News How's the stimulus working out for N.C.?
Posted By Rhiannon Fionn-Bowman on Tue, Aug 18, 2009 at 11:30 AM
According to ProPublica.org, an independent, non-profit, non-partisan investigative journalism project, North Carolina has received $2,719,107,840 in stimulus funds -- so far. Mecklenburg County has received $85,672,640, with the Department of Education receiving the bulk of the money, $43,534,811, and the Department of Transportation coming in second with $28,611,015.
Want to know exactly where the money is going? Follow the links.
ProPublic has chosen Charlotte as one of the eight cities they are taking a monthly stimulus snap shot of, along with Atlanta, Boston, Elkhard (Ind.), Grand Forks (N.D.), Las Vegas, Seattle and St. Cloud (Minn.)
ProPublica pulled a random sample of 520 of the roughly 6,000 approved projects to examine stimulus progress around the country. That sample is large enough to estimate national patterns with a margin of error of plus or minus 4.5 percent. ProPublica asked members of its reporting network to find out if states had advertised the projects, awarded contracts or actually started construction work.While about 30 percent of the projects in the sample had broken ground by mid-summer, at least 66 percent had a contract and 76 percent had been put out to bid – suggesting an impending gusher of stimulus work in late summer and early fall.
In addition to the survey, ProPublica reviewed federal transportation data [3] to determine how many stimulus projects reached a critical juncture – receipt of a “notice to proceed,” the last bureaucratic step before construction can start.
The data show some surprising trends: a wide range of progress [3] among states, a tendency for cold weather states to have more projects under way, and a relatively bigger lag getting started in states where unemployment is highest.
Want to volunteer to help ProPublica watchdog stimulus projects in North Carolina (like I do)? Sign up here.
Point 8 Blog / News Point8 Blog: Art in the summer
Posted By Barbara Schreiber on Tue, Aug 18, 2009 at 11:22 AM
It's strange to start blogging about art in the summer, when the art world tends to go to sleep. I understand why commercial galleries power down, but I've never fully accepted this phenomenon as it applies to nonprofit and alternative spaces. It's not as if we're all spending the season at the beach house.
What I'd really love to see in Charlotte are projects that could happen only in the summer — exhibitions that are suited to the muggy, buggy South; work that is not necessarily marketable; strange work in strange spaces. I once participated in such a project in Atlanta. Joey Orr, a curator who was inspired by a similar effort in San Antonio, established Shedspace, which ran for five blissful, sweaty years. Every Saturday in August, he would open a new, one-night-only show in a garage or storage shed in a transitional neighborhood. I was one of the earlier (and more conventional) artists. As the project continued, Joey found that it was best suited to installation and performance-oriented work. It was incredible: essentially a back yard party, replete with artists, neighbors, kids and dogs, but the focal point was an exhibition of often challenging work.
BACK IN THE SADDLE. Joie Lassiter Gallery is arguably Charlotte's most adventuresome commercial gallery (and also a Point8 favorite, because it hosted some of our earliest gatherings). After six months of quietly working on a backlog of curatorial projects out of a transitional space on the edge of Uptown, Lassiter has reopened her gallery, which is now at 1430 South Mint St., Suite #105, just down the street from the previous Southend location. Lassiter has hinted at some surprises and new developments, but we'll have to wait until after Labor Day to find out exactly what they are. Right now, the gallery is open by appointment only.
Boomer with Attitude / News Sponsors still dropping Beck like a bad muffler
Posted By John Grooms on Tue, Aug 18, 2009 at 11:01 AM
OK, this is starting to get silly. Boomer With Attitude blog posts seem to be evolving into an ongoing tally of sponsors who’ve dumped Glenn Beck, but whaddaya gonna do?
Advertisers from all over the spectrum of U.S. businesses are dropping Beck like a tasered monkey, and we can hardly keep up. Yesterday, we told you that GMAC Financial had asked FoxNews to redistribute their bought ad space away from Beck’s show, bringing yesterday’s total to 11 ex-sponsors. Well, today you can add Walmart, Best Buy, CVS, Allergan, Broadview Security, Re-Bath and Travelocity to the list, boosting the grand total to ... ta-daa — 18 sponsors that don’t want to be associated with Glenn “Obama’s a racist ... I didn’t say that!” Beck. At least someone’s paying a price for spreading astonishingly ignorant views. Now, when’s somebody going to do the same for dim-witted Sean Hannity?
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5 Reasons To Buy Home Insurance Policy
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Lunch Break (9/1/16): Organizers unveil "People, Not Polluters" platform in Charlotte as McCrory officials testify in Raleigh
The morning already passed us by. What the hell happened?
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Question the Queen City: The Outlaws Motorcycle Gang Massacre
What's frequently referred to as the worst mass murder in Charlotte history remains unsolved.
